As of early 2026, United Airlines offers free Wi-Fi on a significant portion of its fleet, but not yet every aircraft. United is currently rolling out complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi for all MileagePlus members (which is free to join). Currently, more than 300 regional aircraft and a growing number of mainline jets are equipped with this high-speed satellite service, with a goal of reaching 800+ planes by the end of 2026. On planes not yet equipped with Starlink, Wi-Fi usually costs $8 for members and $10 for non-members, though T-Mobile customers on specific plans (like Magenta MAX) receive it for free. Regardless of the plane type, free messaging (WhatsApp, iMessage, etc.) is standard across the entire fleet. For 2026 travelers, look for the "Starlink" branding during the login process to confirm if your specific flight offers the new, ultra-fast free service that supports streaming and gaming.